Salary Comparison

Information Security Analyst Salary:
Boston, MA vs Philadelphia, PA

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Boston, MA
$166,252
/ year
+28%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$129,866
/ year
Bottom line: Philadelphia offers better purchasing power despite Boston paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$166,252✓ higher
$129,866
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$107,514✓ higher
$83,984
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$257,079✓ higher
$200,815
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$111,053✓ higher
$89,094
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$118,751
$120,246✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.08×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$107,514✓ higher
$83,984
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$257,079✓ higher
$200,815

What if you move from Boston to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$36,386
28% decrease
Take-home change
$21,959
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$1,495
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

Boston, MA$166,252
P10: $107,514Median: $166,252P90: $257,079
Philadelphia, PA$129,866
P10: $83,984Median: $129,866P90: $200,815

More Information Security Analyst salary comparisons

Boston vs New YorkBoston vs Los AngelesBoston vs ChicagoBoston vs HoustonBoston vs PhoenixBoston vs San AntonioAll Information Security Analyst salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Information Security Analyst earn more in Boston or Philadelphia?

The median Information Security Analyst salary in Boston, MA is $166,252/yr compared to $129,866/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Boston pays 28% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Information Security Analyst salary worth more in Boston or Philadelphia after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $118,751/yr in a median-cost city, vs $120,246/yr for Philadelphia. Philadelphia offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Information Security Analyst in Boston vs Philadelphia?

After estimated taxes, a Information Security Analyst in Boston, MA takes home approximately $111,053/yr, vs $89,094/yr in Philadelphia, PA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.